Review of Straw Dogs (2011) by Donald S — 28 Nov 2011

How far would someone go to protect the life of someone they believe was innocent? How far would someone go to defend their home against a gang of immoral men looking to do what they see fit? How far would someone go to save the ones they love? Straw Dogs aims to prove just how far one individual will go to do all that in one grisly night.

Screen Gems and Battleplan Productions collaborate their efforts in order to bring a modern day update of the 1971film of the same name. Straw Dogs is a psychological thriller about a couple named David and Amy Sumner (James Marsden, Kate Bosworth) who move away from their immensely prominent life style in Los Angeles, California to Amyâ(TM)s hometown of Blackwater, Mississippi; so David can work in peace on a screenplay for a WWII movie. Needing repairs for the old barn on the coupleâ(TM)s homestead, they decide to hire some handymen from the local area. One of the men is an old fling of Amyâ(TM)s named Charlie Venner (Alexander Scarsgard), and the other four men are a group of obscene and foolish friends of Charlieâ(TM)s. Things appear to be going somewhat smoothly at first, but Amy begins to feel their lives are in danger when the couple discovers their cat has been strangled and hung in their closet. Not wanting to create enemies, David initially has trouble believing the men are to blame for the horrific action, and allows them to continue repairing the barnâ(TM)s roof. Unfortunately, David will soon regret his decision when he and his wife become caught up in a struggle for sanity and a battle for survival.

Films like Straw Dogs donâ(TM)t come around very often. Arguably, there have been numerous remakes coming out these past few years; whether they be for successful movies in the past, or for childhood cartoons that never really needed a modern day take. Straw Dogs, on the other, isnâ(TM)t your typical, uninspired remake, because this movie is remarkably entrancing. The film does an amazing job of pulling the audience in, and refusing to let go; thanks to the intense and engaging nature of the story. All of the actors take their roles very seriously, and because of their success at doing so, help define the movie as the gem it truly is. There is a good amount of chemistry between the couple, and from start to finish, you are supporting them and cheering them on when they face the uncertainty of what darkness lies ahead. In fact, some of the darker moments of the film are what really get you involved. These moments can leave you shocked and astonished that the film directors would take such a direction. These moments may drive some people away, because of their extremely mature nature, but itâ(TM)s because of the filmâ(TM)s harshness that makes the ending and the events building up to the ending so much more satisfying. I personally believe the film wouldnâ(TM)t have been so stimulating if it hadnâ(TM)t taken the steps it took.

However, Straw Dogs isnâ(TM)t the perfect thriller film. There are moments in the movie that are incredibly strange and serve little to no purpose in telling the story. Also, towards the beginning, I found myself not taking to the main characters too much because they seemed moronic, or oblivious to the logical actions they should have taken. I understand the studio was trying to build up to a critical battle towards the end, but I feel like they could have done it without making you question the characterâ(TM)s intelligence.

Nevertheless, Straw Dogs is a fantastically enthralling film that almost completely shadows its flaws a great story, and interestingly sinister sequences. I went to this movie expecting nothing special, but I was surprised to uncover just how great this movie is. Despite some slight flaws to the story structure, Straw Dogs is an incredibly gripping and satisfying film unlike any other I have ever seen.